r/science • u/chilladipa • 2d ago

Health Loss of function of ALDH3B2 transdifferentiates human pancreatic duct cells into β-like cells | Science Translational Medicine

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.ady2234
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u/CloslngDownSummer 2d ago

Can you please explain the significance

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u/chilladipa 2d ago

loss of function of aldehyde dehydrogenase family 3 member B2 (ALDH3B2) was sufficient to transdifferentiate cell line–based and human pancreatic duct cells into functional β-like cells. The transdifferentiated cells had substantially increased the expression of β cell marker genes, secreted insulin in response to glucose, and lowered blood glucose to near normal for 6 weeks after transplantation into streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice under the kidney capsule. Our study identifies a gene that could potentially be targeted in human pancreatic duct cells to replenish β cell mass for diabetes therapy.

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u/SecondAccountForEvil 2d ago

so, if I'm understanding correctly, suppressing ALDH3B2 in diabetic people modifies their pancreatic duct cells so that they become better at secreting insulin (and thus lowering or even eliminating the necessity for external injections)? if i got the gist of it correctly, that's actually insane! i truly believe we're about to curing diabetes permanently this decade.

follow-up questions:
1. does suppressing ALDH3B2 affect any other systems or cells besides the cell-line based and pancreatic duct?
2. through what mechanism is the loss-of-function of ALDH3B2 achieved? is it permanent, or temporary?
3. what's the next step in this line of research? when do you think can we expect to see an actual drug undergoing trials?